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Unique WWII photo collection visits FSU

The FSU Institute on World War II and the Human Experience is now home to the Oliver L. Austin Photographic Collection, which tells the unique story of an American ornithologist's experience in WWII civilian service.

The FSU Institute on World War II and the Human Experience is now home to the Oliver L. Austin Photographic Collection, which tells the unique story of an American ornithologist's experience in WWII civilian service.

The collection was curated by FSU Associate Professor of East Asian History Annika A. Culver, who says the 1,000 "existing color slides from that era are extremely rare."

After receiving Harvard University's first Ph.D. Degree in Ornithology, Dr. Austin decided the navigation skills he'd developed through years of sailing could be of use to the Navy. He volunteered for service, and was sent to the Pacific to work in intelligence communications.

A passionate bird expert, Austin spent most of his free time docked in the Pacific islands collecting and examining bird and bat specimens. He even discovered two new bat species. He photographed his adventures, including the birds he saw, rural Japanese landscapes, and Japanese biologists and aristocrats.

"It's remarkable to see them together," says Culver in reference to a picture of Austin with the aristocrats. Austin's photographs of postwar Japan depict the US’ hand in Japanese governmental reconstruction.

Dr. Austin with the Japanese aristocrats he met in Japan.(Photo11: Courtesy of the FSU Institute on WWII and the Human Experience)

The collection features captions prepared by Culver's graduate students, who researched the significance of each photograph. Culver says, "We really wanted to reflect the beauty of these slides."

In 1977, Dr. Austin said, "I had a wonderful time in the South Pacific. I must say, to me, it was a good war."